Since horror literature’s inception, the stories always dealt with queer fears and reflected their queer creators lives.
From Mary Shelley to Bram Stoker, these queer authors helped to create horror and without them it’s likely horror wouldn’t be the same.
After all, what’s scarier than being a closeted queer person in the 19th century.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
First released in 1818 anonymously, Shelley’s magnum opus and the book that quiet literally invented Science Fiction was received poorly upon release.
Publishing the book anonymously was a safety precaution on Shelley’s end, as she was afraid the subject matter being written by a woman would put her and her family in danger.
The book follows Victor Frankenstein, a man who creates a creature from the bodies of the dead, in an attempt to create new life. This creature becomes something more than Victor could have ever imagined.
It’s a novel Shelley crafted amongst other authors, the goal was to create a “Ghost story”.
However, Frankenstein was the only one out of the bunch to ever find a foot hold in history.
This is mainly because of the stories twisted tale of desire, humanity and sheer horror.
The beauty of Frankenstein is that it can be read and interpreted in so many different ways.
From a straight forward horror story, to a story the deal with queer desire and the fear inherent to that feeling.
The latter reading is the one I find the most interesting.
Viewing Victor as a closeted queer man who is only able to express his desire for homosexual love through creating a creature out of the bodies of other men, just feels like the pure reading of the text.
In recent years, it was discovered that Mary Shelley was a fairly open bi-sexual woman.
It’s clear that her experience of being queer in a time where it was criminalised, heavily influenced the plot of Frankenstein.
Queer people are often drawn to horror and monsters because we see ourselves in them.
This is no different with Frankenstein’s creature. A being that is awkward, lonely and desperate for affection.
The creature embodies the fury and sadness of many queer people, and clearly Shelley herself.
All the creature wants is to be loved, putting it best when he says, “I had feelings of affection, and they were requited by destination and scorn.”
Famously adapted by openly gay film-maker, James Whale, in 1931, the queer legacy of the scientist and the creature lives on.
The story has been adapted a countless number of times. From comedies like the recent Lisa Frankenstein or the multiple stage shows.
Frankenstein finds a way to live on and terrify the masses over two centuries since it’s creation.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula
Published in 1897, Dracula, is often cited as the beginning of the vampire sub-genre of horror, however this isn’t entirely true.
Stoker was inspired by stories of Vlad the Imapler, or Vlad Dracula.
Stoker also took influence from the queer masterpiece, Carmilla, in creating the idea of Dracula.
The folklore behind Vampires had existed long before Stoker popularised the term.
The book jumps between the perspectives of a number of characters, mostly focsussed on Jonathan Harker’s relationship with the illustrious Count Dracula.
Just as Shelley’s queer experience influenced Frankenstein. Stoker’s homosexuality was on full display in Dracula.
Theirs a very clear homo-erotic under tone to the story. This is best seen between Jonathan Harker and the Count himself.
Early on in the book, Harker is imprisoned by Dracula who reveals himself as a vampire, and after a close encounter with the brides of Dracula, the count lets Harker leave.
There’s a clear sexual desire on Dracula’s behalf, he stops his brides from forcing themselves onto Harker, possibly in an attempt to keep him for himself.
In recent years, it was discovered Stoker and fellow queer author Oscar Wilde had some kind of relationship.
Their friendship dates back to when they were young men, but from a number of letters found over the years. Stoker and Wilde may have been something more.
Soon after Wilde’s imprisonment, Stoker started to write Dracula. Burying his queerness in attempt to avoid being found out.
Stoker became a well known homophobe soon after the publication of Dracula.
Dracula and Stoker’s legacy is complicated, and remains an interesting display of queerness.
Just like Franeknstein, Dracula has an equal number, if not more adaptations that lean further into the queer themes.
The queer in fear
As a queer person myself, I sympathise with the stories of these authors and the lives they lived.
Both closeted, Shelley and Stoker were able to channel their fear of their own queerness into stories that transcend time.
Dracula and Frankenstein’s creature have become pop culture icons, but it’s important to remember the legacy of these monsters and their queer beginnings this Pride month.
Featured image credit: Bernie Wrightson
Fourth year Film and Journalism student
Deputy editor
Contact - deputyeditor@brignews.com
